“One of the greatest joys teaching here, the same as for other Fisher faculty members, is greeting a new class each fall and then watching and helping those students find themselves and their interests. Emma Hadzi-Antich, a member of the class of 2006, was one of those students.” — Dr. Dean Walton

Since 1981, Dr. Dean Walton, Assistant Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been influencing hundreds of students as a faculty member and as an advisor. Dr. Walton says, “one of his greatest joys teaching here, the same as for other Fisher faculty members, is greeting a new class each fall and then watching and helping those students find themselves and their interests. Emma Hadzi-Antich, a member of the class of 2006, was one of those students.”

Emma came from Richmond, Virginia, an untraditional student who originally did not envision college in her future. In March 2013, Emma returned to Fisher, speaking to students and faculty about her path from indifferent high school student to star college student to Jack Kent Cooke scholarship recipient to community college professor of political science. Fisher students and former faculty welcomed Emma back for a snowy (blizzardy, actually) two-day visit to the Boston campus where she lectured on the founding principles and values of democratic society and government. Heather Carpenter, Director of Career Services, commented afterward that it was like getting the gift of a whole course in Western Civilization in one excellent lecture.

Emma also presented an inspiring keynote address to our Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on her route of finding funding for college and on the need to keep learning, to stay curious, and to not limit your future.

From Dr. Walton: “When she was at Fisher, Emma was a joy to teach and tutor, with her fine intellect, her curiosity about the world, her kind and generous spirit, and her constant smile. I was delighted to spend time with her during her March visit to Fisher and to catch up on her exciting life. I am sure her scholarship and personal successes (among them her fine husband, Ted, her budding professorial career, and her art work) likely inspired our current students. I wrote in my recommendation for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship that Emma would use her college education to give back to our world, and she certainly already has and will continue to, especially as a teacher. Thank you, Emma. You make us all proud here at Fisher.”